JP6113251B1 - Range switching device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a range switching device capable of switching a shift range using a mechanical driving force source even when an electric motor does not operate normally. An output shaft connected to a shift shaft of an automatic transmission, an electric motor, an elastic drive using an elastic energy of an elastic member as a driving force source, an output shaft, the electric motor, and elasticity The elastic mechanism 21 can be switched between a holding state in which the accumulated elastic energy is held and a released state in which the elastic shaft is released to drive the output shaft. Range switching device provided with a simple holding mechanism 39. [Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a range switching device in a shift-by-wire system that operates a shift range of an automatic transmission of a vehicle via an electrical signal.

  In recent years, in vehicle control, a shift-by-wire system that switches the shift range of an automatic transmission of a vehicle with an electric signal in accordance with a command from a vehicle operator has been adopted. It is desirable that the vehicle can be surely stopped even if an abnormality occurs due to some factor. In the case of a vehicle equipped with a conventional mechanical range switching system that does not use a shift-by-wire system, the vehicle can be stopped by switching the shift lever of the automatic transmission to the parking range or using the parking brake. It is.

  On the other hand, in a vehicle to which the shift-by-wire system is applied, the shift range of the automatic transmission is electrically switched. Therefore, for example, if an abnormality occurs in the power supply or power supply system, such as battery running out or disconnection, automatic Changing the shift range of the transmission becomes difficult. Therefore, even in a vehicle equipped with a shift-by-wire system, there is a need for a range switching device that can switch the shift range of an automatic transmission when an abnormality occurs in the vehicle for some reason.

  For example, as a method of switching the shift range of an automatic transmission when an abnormality occurs in the power supply system, the shift-by-wire device of Patent Document 1 includes a capacitor that stores electric power to be supplied to range control means for controlling the motor. Therefore, even when an abnormality occurs in the battery or the power supply system, the automatic transmission can be switched to the parking range at least once by the electric motor using the electric power stored in the capacitor. As a result, the vehicle is stopped safely and reliably.

JP 2008-180250 A

  However, the shift-by-wire device of Patent Document 1 is configured to perform range switching by an electric motor even in an emergency, and it is necessary to include a capacitor that is used only in an emergency, and the capacitor operates the electric motor normally. It is necessary to have high performance capable of supplying the power to be generated. For this reason, there has been a problem of increasing the cost.

  Therefore, a range switching device is provided that can switch the shift range using a mechanical driving force source even when the electric motor does not operate normally.

A range switching device according to the present invention includes an output shaft coupled to a shift shaft of an automatic transmission that performs shift range switching, an electric motor, and an elastic drive that uses elastic energy accumulated in an elastic member as a driving force source, A coupling mechanism that couples the output shaft, the electric motor, and the elastic drive machine so that a driving force can be transmitted to each other; an electric actuator; and a controller that controls the electric motor and the electric actuator. The driving machine has a holding state in which the elastic energy accumulated using the driving force of the electric motor transmitted through the coupling mechanism is held, and a released state in which the elastic energy is released to drive the output shaft. with the possible holding mechanism switches, the electric actuator, said holding mechanism is driven so that the holding mechanism is made to the holding state or the released state The controller controls the electric motor to rotate the output shaft by the driving force of the electric motor and to control the electric actuator so that the holding mechanism is in the holding state; and control of the electric motor And the elastic drive mode in which the electric actuator is controlled to rotate the output shaft by the elastic energy by controlling the electric actuator so that the holding mechanism is in the released state .

  According to the range switching device according to the present invention, the shift range can be switched by rotating the output shaft with an electric motor during normal times. In addition, it is possible to prepare for an abnormal state by storing elastic energy in the elastic member using the driving force of the electric motor and setting the holding mechanism in the elastic energy holding state at normal times. On the other hand, when the electric motor does not operate normally, the shift mechanism can be switched by switching the holding mechanism of the elastic drive to the released state and rotating the output shaft by the elastic energy of the elastic member. Therefore, even when the electric motor does not operate normally, the shift range can be switched by using an elastic driving machine using a mechanical elastic member as a driving force source.

It is a schematic block diagram of the shift range switching system provided with the range switching apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the range switching apparatus in case the holding mechanism is a holding state based on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the range switching apparatus in case the holding mechanism is a holding state and is a drive range based on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the range switching apparatus in case the holding | maintenance mechanism is a holding | maintenance state and is a parking range based on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the range switching apparatus when the holding mechanism is a release state based on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the range switching apparatus in case the holding | maintenance mechanism is a released state and is a parking range based on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the controller which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the controller which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic hardware block diagram of the controller which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
A range switching apparatus 2 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. The range switching device 2 is connected to a shift shaft 6 that switches a shift range of an automatic transmission mounted on the vehicle. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a shift range switching system 1 in which a range switching device 2 is incorporated. The shift range switching system 1 includes a range switching device 2, a detent mechanism 3, a parking mechanism 4, a valve body 5, and a requested range input device 67. FIG. 1 shows only the main part of the automatic transmission according to the shift range switching system 1.

  The request range input device 67 is a device that receives a shift range (request range) requested by the vehicle operator. That is, the vehicle operator operates the request range input device 67 to input a desired shift range to be realized in the automatic transmission. The shift range received by the request range input device 67 includes at least a parking range (P range), a reverse range (R range), a neutral range (N range), and a drive range (D range). The required range input device 67 may be a position sensor that detects the operation position of the shift lever, or may be composed of a plurality of switches.

  The shift range of the automatic transmission that can be switched by the shift shaft 6 includes at least a parking range, a reverse range, a neutral range, and a drive range. In the present embodiment, shift ranges that can be switched by the shift shaft 6 of the automatic transmission are a parking range, a reverse range, a neutral range, and a drive range.

  The output signal of the required range input device 67 is input to the range switching device 2 via the connector 2a. Although details will be described later, the range switching device 2 rotationally drives the shift shaft 6 of the automatic transmission so that the required range detected based on the output signal of the required range input device 67 is realized in the automatic transmission.

  A fan-shaped detent plate 7 is connected to the shift shaft 6, and the rotation angle of the detent plate 7 changes in proportion to the rotation angle of the shift shaft 6. The shift shaft 6 and the detent plate 7 rotate to the one side R1 or the other side R2 within a preset allowable angle range (about 30 degrees in this example). The spool valve 8 of the valve body 5 is attached to the detent plate 7 so as to be interlocked, and the axial position of the spool valve 8 changes according to the rotation angle of the detent plate 7. When the detent plate 7 rotates within the allowable angle range to the one side R1 or the other side R2, the spool valve 8 moves within the predetermined range to one side or the other side in the axial direction. The valve body 5 is a hydraulic circuit for forming a shift stage in the automatic transmission, and corresponds to each shift range (P, R, N, D) by changing the axial position of the spool valve 8. It is configured to switch to the oil passage. Therefore, according to the rotation angle of the shift shaft 6 and the detent plate 7, the oil passage in the valve body 5 is switched to the oil passage corresponding to each shift range.

  A concave portion 7 a is provided at the tip of the detent plate 7 at an angle corresponding to each shift range. The detent spring 9 fixed to the valve body 5 acts as a leaf spring, and the tip of the detent spring 9 presses the recess 7a, so that the rotation angle of the detent plate 7 corresponds to the recess 7a meshed with the tip. Is positioned. When the detent plate 7 is rotated by the rotational driving force transmitted from the range switching device 2, the recess 7 a that meshes with the tip of the detent spring 9 changes, and the shift range of the automatic transmission is switched. As described above, when the rotation angle of the shift shaft 6 and the detent plate 7 is changed by the rotational driving force of the range switching device 2, the shift range of the automatic transmission is switched to the shift range corresponding to the rotation angle. In the present embodiment, as the shift shaft 6 rotates within the allowable angle range from the end of the other side R2 to the one side R1, the shift range is switched in the order of drive range, neutral range, reverse range, and parking range. It is configured as follows.

  The parking mechanism 4 includes a parking rod 10 connected to the detent plate 7, a conical portion 11 provided at the tip of the parking rod 10, a parking pole 12, and a parking gear 13. The axial position of the parking rod 10 changes according to the rotation angle of the detent plate 7. When the position in the axial direction changes, the conical portion 11 provided at the tip of the parking rod 10 causes the parking pole 12 to see and move up and down around the rotation shaft 12a. When the detent plate 7 rotates to the end of the one side R1 corresponding to the parking range, the convex portion 12b of the parking pole 12 meshes with the concave portion 13a of the parking gear 13, locks the rotation of the parking gear 13, and is connected to the wheel. Lock the rotation of the output shaft of the automatic transmission. On the other hand, when the detent plate 7 rotates from the end of one side R1 corresponding to the parking range to the other side R2, the convex portion 12b of the parking pole 12 disengages from the concave portion 13a of the parking gear 13, and the rotation lock of the parking gear 13 is released. Is done.

  As described above, in the shift range switching system 1, the detent plate 7 is rotated to the one side R1 or the other side R2 within the allowable angle range via the shift shaft 6 by the rotational driving force of the range switching device 2. Thus, the axial position of the spool valve 8 of the valve body 5 can be changed to switch the shift range of the automatic transmission, and the rotation of the wheels can be locked in the parking range.

  Next, the range switching device 2 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the range switching device 2 when the holding mechanism 39 is in the holding state. In FIG. 3, the main part of the range switching device 2 in a state where the holding mechanism 39 is in the holding state and the output shaft 18 is rotated at a rotation angle corresponding to the drive range is seen from one side X1 in the axial direction to the other side X2. The figure is shown. In FIG. 4, the main part of the range switching device 2 in a state where the holding mechanism 39 is in the holding state and the output shaft 18 is rotated at a rotation angle corresponding to the parking range is seen from the one side X1 in the axial direction to the other side X2. The figure is shown. FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the range switching device 2 when the holding mechanism 39 is in the released state. In FIG. 6, the main part of the range switching device 2 in a state in which the holding mechanism 39 is in the released state and the output shaft 18 is rotated at a rotation angle corresponding to the parking range is seen from one side X1 in the axial direction to the other side X2. The figure is shown.

  The range switching device 2 includes an output shaft 18 connected to a shift shaft 6 of an automatic transmission that performs shift range switching, an electric motor 14, and an elastic drive 21 that uses elastic energy accumulated in an elastic member 20 as a driving force source. And a coupling mechanism 60 that couples the output shaft 18, the electric motor 14, and the elastic drive machine 21 so that the driving force can be transmitted to each other.

  The elastic driver 21 holds the elastic energy accumulated using the driving force of the electric motor 14 transmitted via the coupling mechanism 60 and the released state where the elastic shaft is released to drive the output shaft 18. And a holding mechanism 39 that can be switched between.

  According to this configuration, during normal times, the output shaft 18 can be rotated by the electric motor 14 to switch the shift range. On the other hand, when the electric motor 14 stops operating normally, the holding mechanism 39 of the elastic drive 21 is switched to the released state, the output shaft 18 is rotated by the elastic energy of the elastic member 20, and the shift range is switched. be able to. Thereafter, when the electric motor 14 returns to a normal operating state, the elastic energy can be accumulated again in the elastic member 20 using the driving force of the electric motor 14, and the holding mechanism 39 can be brought into the elastic energy holding state.

  In the present embodiment, the range switching device 2 includes an electric actuator 62 that drives the holding mechanism 39 so that the holding mechanism 39 is in a holding state or a release state, a controller 63 that controls the electric motor 14 and the electric actuator 62, It has. The controller 63 controls the electric motor 14 to rotate the output shaft 18 by the driving force of the electric motor 14 and to control the electric actuator 62 so that the holding mechanism 39 is in the holding state. An elastic drive mode in which the control is stopped and the electric actuator 62 is controlled so that the holding mechanism 39 is in a released state and the output shaft 18 is rotated by elastic energy is selected and executed.

  According to this configuration, the electric actuator 62 and the controller 63 can automatically select and execute the electric drive mode and the elastic drive mode, which is highly convenient and safe for the vehicle operator. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, the rotation axis C1 of the output shaft 18, the rotation axis C2 of the electric motor 14, and the rotation axis C3 of the elastic drive device 21 are arranged on different axes and arranged in parallel to each other. The axial direction X is a direction parallel to these axial centers C1, C2, and C3.

  The range switching device 2 includes a device case 64 that houses and supports the output shaft 18, the electric motor 14, the elastic drive device 21, the coupling mechanism 60, the electric actuator 62, the controller 63, and the like. In the present embodiment, the device case 64 covers the bottomed cylindrical housing 23 that opens on the one side X1 in the axial direction, and the cover that covers the opening on the one side X1 in the axial direction of the housing 23 and is fixed to the housing 23. 24. A through hole 69 that penetrates in the axial direction X is formed in the cover 24. The output shaft 18 penetrates the through hole 69 to the one side X1 in the axial direction and is exposed to the outside of the device case 64. A connecting recess 70 that is connected to the shift shaft 6 is formed at the end portion on the one side X1 in the axial direction of the output shaft 18. The connecting recess 70 is a recess that has been chamfered, and the connecting portion of the shift shaft 6 that has been chamfered is fitted and connected so as to rotate integrally. A case portion of the connector 2a is formed in the device case 64 (housing 23) (see FIG. 1). The connection terminal of the connector 2a is connected to a connection line for inputting an output signal of the required range input device 67, a power supply line from the DC power supply 85, a communication line with an external control device, and the like.

  The electric motor 14 is disposed on the inner side of the stator 26 in the radial direction of the cylindrical stator 26 fixed to the device case 64 (housing 23). The electric motor 14 is connected to the device case 64 via the rotor shaft 15 by rolling bearings 28 and 29. And a cylindrical rotor 25 that is rotatably supported. In the present embodiment, the electric motor 14 is a brushless permanent magnet synchronous motor, a coil 33 is wound around the stator 26, and a permanent magnet 27 is disposed on the rotor 25 (the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 25 in this example). It is fixed. The stator core 32 includes a plurality of stator teeth that protrude radially inward. The coil 33 is wound around each stator tooth and constitutes a three-phase connection composed of a three-phase coil of U phase, V phase, and W phase.

  The connection mechanism 60 includes a reduction gear mechanism 17 that reduces the rotational speed of the electric motor 14, amplifies the torque, and transmits the amplified torque to the output shaft 18. In the present embodiment, the reduction gear mechanism 17 includes a planetary gear reduction mechanism and a spur gear reduction mechanism. The planetary gear speed reduction mechanism includes a carrier 37 that supports a plurality of planetary gears 35 so as to rotate and revolve, an external sun gear 34 that meshes with the planetary gear 35 from the radially inner side, and an inner gear that meshes with the planetary gear 35 from the radially outer side. And a toothed annular gear 36. A sun gear 34 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotor shaft 15 extending from the rotor 25 to the one side X1 in the axial direction, the carrier 37 is connected to the small gear 30 of the spur gear reduction mechanism, and the annular gear 36 is connected to the device case 64. It is fixed to (housing 23).

  As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the spur gear reduction mechanism includes a small gear 30 connected to the carrier 37, and a large gear 31 that meshes with the small gear 30 and is connected to the output shaft 18. The large gear 31 is a gear having more teeth per unit angle than the small gear 30. The large gear 31 is a sector gear in which teeth 31 a are formed in an angle range corresponding to an allowable angle range of the output shaft 18 and the shift shaft 6. In this example, the teeth 31a of the large gear 31 are internal teeth, but may be external teeth.

  A magnet 38 is installed at the end of the other side X2 of the output shaft 18 in the axial direction, and a rotation angle detection sensor 19 for detecting the rotation angle of the output shaft 18 is installed on the other side X2 of the magnet 38 in the axial direction. Yes. The rotation angle detection sensor 19 is fixed to the substrate 68 of the controller 63. As shown in FIG. 7, the output signal of the rotation angle detection sensor 19 is input to the controller 63. The controller 63 detects the rotation angle of the output shaft 18 by detecting the direction of the magnetic flux of the magnet 38 that rotates integrally with the output shaft 18 based on the output signal of the rotation angle detection sensor 19. Then, the controller 63 detects a shift range corresponding to the rotation angle of the output shaft 18. Note that the controller 63 has a plurality of electronic components mounted on the board 68 and is fixed in the apparatus case 64, but only a part of the board 68 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The controller 63 may be provided separately from the device case 64.

  The coupling mechanism 60 includes a gear mechanism 22 that transmits a rotational driving force generated by elastic energy of the elastic driving machine 21 to the output shaft 18 (see FIG. 3 and the like). The gear mechanism 22 includes external teeth 40 a formed on an output member 40 of the elastic drive machine 21 to be described later, and external teeth 31 b formed on a member of the fan-shaped large gear 31. The teeth 40a mesh with the external teeth 31b of the large gear 31. The external teeth 40 a of the output member 40 and the external teeth 31 b of the large gear 31 are formed in an angle range corresponding to the allowable angle range of the output shaft 18 and the shift shaft 6. The gear mechanism 22 transmits the output to the output shaft 18 by reversing the rotation direction of the elastic drive device 21 (output member 40). That is, the rotational direction of the elastic drive 21 and the output shaft 18 is reversed, and when the elastic drive 21 (output member 40) is rotated to the other side R2 of the rotational direction, the automatic transmission is in the parking range.

  The elastic drive unit 21 urges the output shaft 18 in a predetermined rotational drive direction by elastic energy when the holding mechanism 39 is released, and prevents the elastic energy from being transmitted to the output shaft 18 when the holding mechanism 39 is held. It is configured. In the present embodiment, the rotational drive direction of the output shaft 18 by the elastic drive machine 21 is set to one side R1 of the rotation direction that is the parking range side, and the elastic drive machine 21 uses elastic energy in the elastic drive mode. The output shaft 18 is configured to be rotationally driven at a rotation angle corresponding to the parking range.

  According to this configuration, when the electric motor 14 does not operate normally, the elastic drive unit 21 can switch to the parking range and can safely stop the vehicle.

  The holding mechanism 39 is locked to one end of the elastic member 20 and is connected to the output mechanism 40 connected to the connecting mechanism 60, and the device case 64 is locked to the other end of the elastic member 20 and accommodates the elastic drive unit 21. In a state where elastic energy is accumulated in the elastic member 20 by the driving force of the supported base member 41 and the electric motor 14, the base member 41 and the output member 40 are engaged with each other, and the base member 41 and the output member 40 are relatively moved. A locking member 53 for blocking and a locking release member 52 for releasing the engagement of the locking member 53 are provided.

  When the locking member 53 is engaged with the base member 41 and the output member 40, the holding mechanism 39 is in the holding state, and the locking member 53 is released from the engagement by the locking release member 52. Then, the holding mechanism 39 is released.

  In the present embodiment, the elastic member 20 is a torsion spring that twists around the rotation axis C <b> 3 of the elastic drive 21. The output member 40 has a cylindrical tubular portion 40d disposed on the inner side in the radial direction of the rotation axis C3 with respect to the elastic member 20, and is rotatable in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis C3. The base member 41 includes a cylindrical tubular portion 41d having an outer peripheral surface that slides with an inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 40d of the output member 40, and is rotatable in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis C3. The unlocking member 52 has a cylindrical tubular portion 52 d having an outer peripheral surface that slides with an inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 41 d of the base member 41, and is movable in the axial direction X. The electric actuator 62 is configured to bias the locking release member 52 to one side X1 or the other side X2 in the axial direction of the rotation axis C3.

  The base member 41 has a columnar shaft portion 42 having a smaller diameter than the tubular portion 41d and extending from the end portion on the one side X1 in the axial direction of the tubular portion 41d to the one side X1 in the axial direction. An end portion on one side X1 in the axial direction of the shaft portion 42 is supported by a boss portion formed on the device case 64 (cover 24) via a rolling bearing 44 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis C3. . The base member 41 has an annular plate-like flange portion 41e extending outward in the radial direction from the end portion on the other side X2 in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 41d. The other end of the elastic member 20 is locked to the flange portion 41e.

  On the outer peripheral surface of the end portion on the one side X1 in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 40d of the output member 40, the external teeth 40a of the gear mechanism 22 described above are formed within a predetermined angle range. The inner peripheral surface of the end portion on the one side X1 in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 40d of the output member 40 is relative to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 42 of the base member 41 around the rotation axis C3 via the rolling bearing 43. It is rotatably supported. Therefore, the cylindrical portion 40 d of the output member 40 is rotatably supported with respect to the device case 64 via the rolling bearing 43, the shaft portion 42 of the base member 41, and the rolling bearing 44. The output member 40 has an annular plate-like flange portion 40e extending outward in the radial direction from the portion on the other side X2 in the axial direction with respect to the forming portion of the external teeth 40a. One end of the elastic member 20 is locked to the flange portion 40e.

  The locking release member 52 has a columnar connecting shaft portion 71 fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 52d. An end portion on the other side X2 in the axial direction of the connecting shaft portion 71 is connected to a plunger 50 of an electric actuator 62 described later.

  The locking member 53 is formed in a spherical shape. A base member through-hole 41b that penetrates in the radial direction of the rotation axis C3 is formed in the tubular portion 41d of the base member 41. On the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 40d of the output member 40, an output member recess 40c that is recessed outward in the radial direction is formed. On the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 52d of the unlocking member 52, an annular recess 52a that is recessed inward in the radial direction and extends in the circumferential direction is formed.

  A plurality of (for example, four) locking members 53 are provided. The same number of base member through-holes 41b as the locking members 53 are provided, and are disposed at the same axial position at intervals in the circumferential direction. The output member recesses 40c are provided in the same number as the locking members 53, and are disposed at the same axial position at intervals in the circumferential direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, each output member recess 40 c is formed in a circumferential direction (in this example, one side R <b> 1 in the rotational direction) by a holding angle Ah where the output member 40 is preset with respect to the base member 41. In a twisted state, the position is communicated with the corresponding base member through hole 41b. As shown in FIG. 5, the formation position of the annular recess 52 a is a position where the locking release member 52 communicates with each base member through-hole 41 b in a state where the locking release member 52 has moved to the end on the other side X2 in the axial direction. The holding angle Ah is set to an angle corresponding to the allowable angle range.

First, a case where the holding mechanism 39 is in a released state will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the unlocking member 52 is moved to the end of the other side X <b> 2 in the axial direction by the biasing force of the electric actuator 62, the spherical locking member 53 is a base member communicating with each other. It moves to the release position straddling the through hole 41b and the annular recess 52a to enable relative rotation of the base member 41 and the output member 40, and holds the locking release member 52 at the end on the other side X2 in the axial direction. The holding mechanism 39 is in a released state, and the output member 40 is urged to the other side R2 in the rotational direction with respect to the base member 41 (device case 64) by the elastic energy of the elastic member 20. Once in the released state, the output member 40 is not twisted in the circumferential direction by the holding angle Ah by the driving force of the electric motor 14 even if the unlocking member 52 is urged to the one side X1 in the axial direction by the electric actuator 62. As long as it is not held. As shown in FIG. 6, the output member recess 40 c has a cross-sectional shape cut along a plane orthogonal to the axial direction X so as to expand toward the inner side in the radial direction (in this example, a semicircular shape). 3 and 4, the output member recess 40 c presses the spherical locking member 53 radially inward by the circumferential biasing force of the elastic member 20. Due to this radially inner pressing force, the locking member 53 moves radially inward from an engagement position described later toward a release position.

Next, a case where the holding mechanism 39 is in the holding state will be described.
In a state where the unlocking member 52 is held by the locking member 53 at the end of the other side X2 in the axial direction (see FIG. 5) and is biased to the one side X1 in the axial direction by the electric actuator 62. When the output member 40 is twisted in the circumferential direction (in this example, one side R1 in the rotational direction) with respect to the member 41 by a predetermined holding angle Ah, the spherical locking member 53 is as shown in FIG. To the holding position straddling the output member recess 40c and the base member through hole 41b communicating with each other to prevent relative rotation of the base member 41 and the output member 40 and to move the lock release member 52 to one side in the axial direction. Move to X1. After the locking member 53 moves to the holding position, the locking release member 52 moves to the end on the one side X1 in the axial direction by the biasing force of the electric actuator 62, as shown in FIG. The holding mechanism 39 is in the holding state, and the elastic energy of the elastic member 20 accumulated by the twist at the holding angle Ah is held between the output member 40 and the base member 41 and is not transmitted to the output shaft 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the annular recess 52a is formed in a shape (isosceles trapezoidal shape in this example) in which the cross-sectional shape cut along the plane passing through the rotation axis C3 widens toward the outside in the radial direction. In the released state shown in FIG. 5, the annular recess 52 a presses the spherical locking member 53 outward in the radial direction by the biasing force on the one side X <b> 1 in the axial direction by the electric actuator 62. Due to this radially outward pressing force, the locking member 53 moves radially outward from the release position toward the engagement position.

  The electric actuator 62 includes a plunger 50 made of a magnetic material coupled to the unlocking member 52, a plunger elastic member 51 that urges the plunger 50 to one axial side X1, and the other plunger 50 in the axial direction when energized. And an electromagnetic solenoid 45 that attracts to the side X2. Therefore, when electric power is supplied to the electric actuator 62 by the controller 63, the locking release member 52 is biased to the other side X <b> 2 in the axial direction by the attractive force of the electromagnetic solenoid 45, and the electric actuator 62 is driven by the controller 63. When the electric power is not supplied, the plunger release member 52 urges the locking release member 52 to the one side X1 in the axial direction. The electromagnetic solenoid 45 is designed to generate an electromagnetic force that can attract the locking release member 52 to the other end X2 in the axial direction against the elastic force of the plunger elastic member 51 even when the supply voltage decreases. Has been.

  The electromagnetic solenoid 45 is configured by winding a coil 47 around a bobbin 46. The electric actuator 62 includes a yoke 48 that covers the outside of the electromagnetic solenoid 45, and a core 49 that is disposed on the other side X <b> 2 in the axial direction in the radially inner space of the electromagnetic solenoid 45. The power supply source to the electromagnetic solenoid 45 may be the same power supply system (in this example, the DC power supply 85) as the electric motor 14, or a power supply system provided separately. The controller 63 controls the power supply from the power supply source to the electromagnetic solenoid 45 to be on or off.

  The output member 40 and the device case 64 are configured to output the rotation of the output member 40 relative to the device case 64 in a direction in which the elastic member 20 is elastically biased by the elastic member 20 (in this example, the other side R2 in the rotation direction). It has an output member stopper 66 that is regulated by the member angle. The base member 41 and the device case 64 are configured so that rotation of the base member 41 relative to the device case 64 in the elastic biasing direction of the device case 64 by the elastic member 20 (one side R1 in the rotation direction in this example) is determined in advance. It has a base member stopper 65 that is regulated by the member angle.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the output member stopper 66 is an output provided on the output member 40 (the end on the one side X1 in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 40d). The protrusion 66a and the case protrusion 66b provided on the device case 64 (cover 24) are configured. The output convex portion 66a abuts on the case convex portion 66b, so that the rotation of the output member 40 relative to the device case 64 is restricted. The base member stopper portion 65 includes a base convex portion 65a provided on the base member 41 (flange portion 41e) and a case convex portion 65b provided on the device case 64 (housing 23). The base convex portion 65a abuts on the case convex portion 65b, so that the rotation of the base member 41 with respect to the device case 64 is restricted.

  An elastic biasing direction of the output member 40 by the elastic member 20 is the other side R2 of the rotation direction. As shown in FIGS. The rotation of the other side R2 in the rotation direction is configured to be restricted by the output member angle corresponding to the parking range. An elastic biasing direction of the base member 41 by the elastic member 20 is one side R1 of the rotation direction, and the base member stopper portion 65 is in the rotation direction of the base member 41 with respect to the device case 64 as shown in FIG. The rotation of the one side R <b> 1 is configured to be regulated by the base member angle serving as the drive range in a state where the holding mechanism 39 is in the engaged state and the base member 41 and the output member 40 rotate integrally. As shown in FIG. 6, the base member stopper 65 restricts the rotation of the one side R <b> 1 in the rotation direction of the base member 41 with respect to the device case 64 by the base member angle even when the holding mechanism 39 is in the released state. The elastic member 20 is configured to accumulate elastic energy by rotating the output member 40 to the one side R1 in the rotation direction by the rotational driving force.

  Therefore, the rotation of the output member 40 by the elastic energy of the elastic member 20 can be restricted by the rotation angle corresponding to the parking range in the released state of the holding mechanism 39 by the output member stopper 66. On the other hand, the rotation of the output member 40 (base member 41) can be restricted by the rotation angle corresponding to the drive range in the holding state of the holding mechanism 39 by the base member stopper 65. Further, the base member stopper portion 65 restricts the rotation of the base member 41 in the released state of the holding mechanism 39 and rotates the output member 40 by the rotational driving force of the electric motor 14, thereby accumulating elastic energy in the elastic member 20. Can be made.

  As described above, the controller 63 controls the electric motor 14 to rotate the output shaft 18 by the driving force of the electric motor 14 and to control the electric actuator 62 so that the holding mechanism 39 is in the holding state; An elastic drive mode in which the electric actuator 62 is controlled to stop the control of the electric motor 14 and the output mechanism 18 is rotated by elastic energy so that the holding mechanism 39 is released is selected and executed.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 7, the controller 63 includes an electric motor control unit 80 that controls the electric motor 14, an electric actuator control unit 81 that controls the electric actuator 62, and an electric motor control unit. 80 and an electric actuator control unit 81, and a power source switching unit 82 for selectively executing the electric drive mode and the elastic drive mode. The controller 63 is supplied with a DC voltage from a DC power supply 85. Further, the controller 63 receives output signals from the required range input device 67 and the rotation angle detection sensor 19. The controller 63 includes a voltage sensor 86 that detects a DC voltage supplied from the DC power supply 85.

  The electric motor control unit 80 determines a required range, which is a shift range of the automatic transmission requested by the vehicle operator, based on an output signal of the required range input device 67, and the rotation angle of the output shaft 18 that realizes the required range. A target rotation angle is set. Further, the motor control unit 80 detects the actual rotation angle of the output shaft 18 based on the output signal of the rotation angle detection sensor 19. Then, the motor control unit 80 changes the power supplied to the three-phase coil so that the actual rotation angle of the output shaft 18 approaches the target rotation angle, and changes the output torque (rotational driving force) of the motor 14.

  The motor control unit 80 converts the DC power supplied from the DC power source 85 into AC power and supplies the AC power to the three-phase coil of the motor 14, and the inverter control unit 84 that controls on / off of the switching element of the inverter 83; It is equipped with. The inverter 83 is a three-phase inverter in which a bridge circuit is configured by six switching elements such as MOSFETs (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors). The inverter control unit 84 changes the AC voltage command supplied to the three-phase coil using a known vector control method or the like, and performs on / off control of each switching element based on the AC voltage command.

  In the present embodiment, the electric actuator control unit 81 turns off the power supply to the electromagnetic solenoid 45 when the holding mechanism 39 is in the holding state, and moves to the electromagnetic solenoid 45 when the holding mechanism 39 is in the released state. The power supply is configured to be turned on. In the normal state in which the rotation angle of the output shaft 18 is controlled by the electric motor 14, the power supply to the electromagnetic solenoid 45 is turned off, so that the power consumption of the electromagnetic solenoid 45 can be reduced. On the other hand, as described above, when the power supply to the electromagnetic solenoid 45 is turned on, the locking release member 52 moves to the end of the other side X2 in the axial direction, and the holding mechanism 39 shifts to the released state. Even if the power supply to the electromagnetic solenoid 45 is turned off, the released state is maintained. Therefore, the electric actuator control unit 81 may be configured to turn on the power supply to the electromagnetic solenoid 45 for a preset period when the holding mechanism 39 is in the released state.

  When it is determined that the electric drive mode is to be executed, the power source switching unit 82 instructs the electric motor control unit 80 to control the driving force of the electric motor 14, thereby rotating the output shaft 18 to a rotation angle corresponding to the required range. In addition, the electric actuator control unit 81 is commanded to turn off the power supply to the electromagnetic solenoid 45 so that the holding mechanism 39 is in the holding state. On the other hand, when the power source switching unit 82 determines to execute the elastic drive mode, the power source switching unit 82 instructs the motor control unit 80 to stop the power supply to the motor 14 so that the motor 14 does not generate a driving force. Then, the electric actuator controller 81 is commanded to turn on the power supply to the electromagnetic solenoid 45 so that the holding mechanism 39 is released.

  In the present embodiment, the power source switching unit 82 executes the electric drive mode when the supply voltage detected by the output signal of the voltage sensor 86 is equal to or higher than a preset low voltage determination value, and the supply voltage is low. When it is less than the voltage determination value, the elastic drive mode is executed. The low voltage determination value is set in advance to a voltage at which the motor control unit 80 cannot normally control the motor 14.

  According to this configuration, the controller 63 executes the elastic drive mode and executes the range switching by the elastic energy of the elastic driver 21 when the range switching by the electric motor 14 cannot be performed due to the decrease in the supply voltage. be able to. On the other hand, when the supply voltage is restored, the controller 63 executes the electric drive mode and performs range switching by the electric motor 14.

  The power source switching unit 82 causes the electric motor 14 to generate a driving force after accumulating the elastic drive mode from the execution of the elastic drive mode to the execution of the electric drive mode. The electric actuator 62 is controlled to be in a state. Specifically, the power source switching unit 82 controls the driving force of the electric motor 14 by instructing the electric motor control unit 80, so that the output shaft 18 rotates from the rotational angle corresponding to the parking range to the rotational angle corresponding to the drive range. And elastic energy is accumulated in the elastic member 20. Further, the power source switching unit 82 instructs the electric actuator control unit 81 to turn off the power supply to the electromagnetic solenoid 45 so that the holding mechanism 39 is in the holding state. The power source switching unit 82 starts the normal electric drive mode after setting the holding mechanism 39 to the holding state.

  The processing of the power source switching unit 82 described above can be configured as shown in the flowchart of FIG. In step S01, the power source switching unit 82 determines whether or not the supply voltage detected by the output signal of the voltage sensor 86 is equal to or higher than a preset low voltage determination value. When the power source switching unit 82 determines that the supply voltage is equal to or higher than a preset low voltage determination value (step S01: Yes), immediately after the execution of the elastic drive mode is shifted to the execution of the electric drive mode. It is determined whether or not (step S02). Then, in step S03, the power source switching unit 82 generates the driving force in the electric motor 14 to accumulate the elastic energy in the elastic member 20 as described above, and the electric actuator so that the holding mechanism 39 is in the holding state. 62 is controlled to bring the holding mechanism 39 into the holding state. Thereafter, the power source switching unit 82 executes the electric drive mode in step S04. On the other hand, when determining that the supply voltage is less than the low voltage determination value (step S01: No), the power source switching unit 82 executes the elastic drive mode (step S05).

  Each function of the inverter control unit 84, the electric actuator control unit 81, the power source switching unit 82, and the like included in the controller 63 is realized by a processing circuit included in the controller 63. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the controller 63 includes, as processing circuits, an arithmetic processing device 90 (computer) such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage device 91 that exchanges data with the arithmetic processing device 90, An input circuit 92 for inputting an external signal to the arithmetic processing unit 90 and an output circuit 93 for outputting a signal from the arithmetic processing unit 90 to the outside are provided.

  As the storage device 91, a RAM (Random Access Memory) configured to be able to read and write data from the arithmetic processing device 90, a ROM (Read Only Memory) configured to be able to read data from the arithmetic processing device 90, and the like. Is provided. The input circuit 92 is connected to sensors and switches such as the required range input device 67, the rotation angle detection sensor 19, and the voltage sensor 86. The input circuit 92 inputs the output signals of these sensors and switches to the arithmetic processing unit 90. An A / D converter or the like is provided. The output circuit 93 includes a drive circuit that outputs a control signal from the arithmetic processing unit 90 to an electric load such as the switching element of the inverter 83 and the electromagnetic solenoid 45. The functions of the inverter control unit 84, the electric actuator control unit 81, the power source switching unit 82, and the like included in the controller 63 are software (programs) stored in the storage device 91 such as a ROM by the arithmetic processing unit 90. This is realized by cooperating with other hardware of the controller 63 such as the storage device 91, the input circuit 92, and the output circuit 93.

The operation of the range switching device 2 described above will be described together.
First, the case where the elastic drive mode which rotates the output shaft 18 with the elastic energy of the elastic drive machine 21 is performed is demonstrated. The controller 63 performs range switching by the elastic energy of the elastic drive device 21 when the supply voltage to the range switching device 2 decreases and it is determined that range switching by the electric motor 14 cannot be performed. In this case, first, the controller 63 energizes the electromagnetic solenoid 45 to release the holding mechanism 39 and release the elastic energy of the elastic member 20 held by the holding mechanism 39. When the holding mechanism 39 is in the released state, the output member 40 is rotated with respect to the base member 41 by elastic energy, the output shaft 18 is rotated to a rotation angle corresponding to the parking range, and range switching can be executed.

  On the other hand, when the controller 63 determines that the supply voltage to the range switching device 2 returns to a normal voltage and the range switching can be performed by the electric motor 14, the initial operation is performed by the rotational driving force of the electric motor 14, The output shaft 18 is rotated from the rotation angle corresponding to the parking range to the rotation angle corresponding to the drive range. Due to the rotation of the output shaft 18, elastic energy is accumulated in the elastic member 20. Then, the controller 63 deenergizes the electromagnetic solenoid 45 so that the holding mechanism 39 is in the holding state. Specifically, the output member 40 rotates through the gear mechanism 22 as the output shaft 18 rotates. When the output member 40 rotates to a position where the output member recess 40c and the base member through hole 41b communicate with each other, the spherical locking member 53 is moved by the biasing force of the plunger elastic member 51 to the base member through hole 41b and the annular recess 52a. It moves from the release position straddling to the holding position straddling the output member recess 40c and the base member through hole 41b. Thereby, it will be in the holding state in which relative rotation of foundation member 41 and output member 40 was blocked, and elastic energy is held between foundation member 41 and output member 40.

  As described above, according to the range switching device 2 according to the present embodiment, by providing the elastic driver 21 using the elastic energy of the elastic member 20 as a drive source, the supply voltage to the range switching device 2 is reduced. Even if it becomes difficult to switch the range with the electric motor 14, the range can be switched to the parking range by releasing the elastic energy held in the elastic drive 21, and the vehicle is safe. Can be stopped at. In addition, when the supply voltage to the electric motor 14 is restored, the elastic energy can be accumulated and held in the elastic drive 21 again by performing range switching to the drive range by the electric motor 14 for the first time after the restoration. it can. Thereafter, normal range switching by the electric motor 14 can be executed.

  The accumulated elastic energy is held by the locking of the spherical locking member 53 straddling the two recesses, and the elastic energy releasing operation uses the rolling of the spherical locking member 53. A large amount of power is not required to release the stop. Therefore, the release operation by the low power electromagnetic solenoid 45 can be performed.

  In the present embodiment, the case where a torsion spring is used for the elastic member 20 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the spiral wound around the rotation axis C3 is not limited to this. A spring may be used. Alternatively, a compression coil spring, a tension coil spring, or the like may be used for the elastic member 20, and a rack and pinion mechanism that converts a reciprocating motion into a rotational motion may be used for the elastic driving device 21.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the electromagnetic solenoid 45 is used for the electric actuator 62 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the electromagnetic solenoid 45, and the holding mechanism 39 can be unlocked with low power. Another type, for example, an electric actuator such as a rack and pinion mechanism and an electric motor that rotationally drives the pinion may be used.

  In addition, instead of the electric actuator 62, the locking release member 52 is manually pulled by pulling the elastic member that urges the locking release member 52 toward the one side X1 in the axial direction and the wire connected to the locking release member 52. And a manual operation mechanism that moves the second side to the other side X2 in the axial direction. Since release of the locking member 53 does not require a large amount of power, it can be operated manually.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the coupling mechanism that couples the elastic drive 21 and the output shaft 18 is the gear mechanism 22 constituted by two gears meshing with each other has been described. However, the coupling mechanism is limited to a gear. For example, a connection mechanism using a belt and a pulley, or a chain and a sprocket may be used.

  Furthermore, the gear ratio of the gear mechanism 22 may be any of deceleration, the same speed, or an increase in speed. In the case of deceleration, it is possible to amplify the torque generated by the elastic energy of the elastic member 20 and transmit it to the output shaft 18. In the case of acceleration, the torsion of the elastic member 20 is compared to the case of deceleration. The angle can be reduced, and the torque output to the electric motor 14 can be reduced in the operation of accumulating elastic energy in the elastic member 20 again. Furthermore, a variable speed ratio gear such as an elliptical gear may be used for the gear mechanism 22.

  It should be noted that the present invention can be freely combined with each other within the scope of the invention, and each embodiment can be appropriately modified or omitted.

  The present invention can be suitably used for a range switching device in a shift-by-wire system that operates a shift range of an automatic transmission of a vehicle via an electrical signal.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Shift range switching system, 2 Range switching device, 6 Shift shaft, 7 Detent plate, 14 Electric motor, 15 Rotor shaft, 17 Reduction gear mechanism, 18 Output shaft, 19 Rotation angle detection sensor, 20 Elastic member, 21 Elastic drive machine, 22 gear mechanism, 30 small gear, 31 large gear, 39 holding mechanism, 40 output member, 40c output member recess, 40d cylindrical portion of output member, 41 base member, 41b base member through hole, 41d cylindrical portion of base member 45, solenoid solenoid, 50 plunger, 51 plunger elastic member, 52 unlocking member, 52a annular recess, 52d cylindrical portion of unlocking member, 53 locking member, 60 coupling mechanism, 62 electric actuator, 63 controller, 64 device case, 65 base member stopper, 66 output member stopper 67, required range input device, 80 motor control unit, 81 electric actuator control unit, 82 power source switching unit, 83 inverter, 84 inverter control unit, 85 DC power supply, 86 voltage sensor, Ah holding angle, C3 rotation of elastic drive Axis center, one side of R1 rotation direction, the other side of R2 rotation direction, X axis direction, one side of X1 axis direction, the other side of X2 axis direction

Claims (9)

An output shaft connected to a shift shaft of an automatic transmission that performs shift range switching;
An electric motor,
An elastic drive using the elastic energy accumulated in the elastic member as a driving force source;
A coupling mechanism that couples the output shaft, the electric motor, and the elastic drive so that the driving force can be transmitted to each other;
An electric actuator;
A controller for controlling the electric motor and the electric actuator ,
The elastic drive unit holds the elastic energy accumulated using the driving force of the electric motor transmitted through the coupling mechanism, and the released state drives the output shaft by releasing the elastic energy. DOO comprises a capable holding mechanism switches,
The electric actuator drives the holding mechanism so that the holding mechanism is in the holding state or the released state,
The controller controls the electric motor to rotate the output shaft by the driving force of the electric motor and to control the electric actuator so that the holding mechanism is in the holding state; and control of the electric motor A range switching device that selects and executes an elastic drive mode in which the electric actuator is controlled so that the holding mechanism is in the released state and the output shaft is rotated by the elastic energy . The controller executes the electric drive mode when the supply voltage is equal to or higher than a preset low voltage determination value, and executes the elastic drive mode when the supply voltage is less than the low voltage determination value. The range switching device according to claim 1 . The controller causes the motor to generate a driving force after the transition from the execution of the elastic drive mode to the execution of the electric drive mode, accumulates the elastic energy in the elastic member, and the holding mechanism holds the holding range switching apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 for controlling the electric actuator so that the state. The elastic drive unit urges the output shaft in a predetermined rotational drive direction by the elastic energy in the released state of the holding mechanism, and the elastic energy is applied to the output shaft in the holding state of the holding mechanism. The range switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , which is not transmitted. The holding mechanism is
An output member locked to one end of the elastic member and connected to the connection mechanism;
A base member that is locked to the other end of the elastic member and supported by a device case that houses the elastic drive;
A locking member that engages with the base member and the output member and prevents relative movement of the base member and the output member in a state where the elastic energy is accumulated in the elastic member using the driving force of the electric motor. When,
The range switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , further comprising an unlocking member that releases the engagement of the locking member. The elastic member is a torsion spring that twists around the rotational axis of the elastic drive machine,
The output member has a cylindrical tubular portion disposed on the radially inner side of the rotation axis with respect to the elastic member, and is rotatable in a circumferential direction of the rotation axis.
The base member has a cylindrical tubular portion having an outer peripheral surface that slides with an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the output member, and is rotatable in the circumferential direction.
The unlocking member has a cylindrical cylindrical portion having an outer peripheral surface that slides with an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the base member, and is movable in the axial direction of the rotation axis.
The locking member is formed in a spherical shape,
A base member through hole penetrating in the radial direction is formed in the tubular portion of the base member,
On the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the output member, an output member recess that is recessed outward in the radial direction is formed,
On the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the unlocking member, an annular recess that is recessed inward in the radial direction and extends in the circumferential direction is formed.
When the locking release member moves to the other end in the axial direction, the locking member moves to a release position straddling the base member through-hole and the annular recess that communicate with each other, and Enabling relative rotation of the member and the output member and holding the locking release member at the other end in the axial direction;
The locking member is attached to the base member in a state where the locking release member is held by the locking member at the other end in the axial direction and is biased to the one axial side. On the other hand, when the output member is twisted in the circumferential direction by a predetermined holding angle, the output member moves to a holding position straddling the output member recess and the base member through hole communicated with each other, and the base member and the 6. The range switching device according to claim 5 , wherein relative rotation of the output member is prevented and the locking release member is movable to one side in the axial direction. An electric actuator for urging the locking release member to one side or the other side in the axial direction;
The electric actuator includes a plunger connected to the unlocking member, a plunger elastic member that urges the plunger toward one side in the axial direction, and an electromagnetic that attracts the plunger toward the other side in the axial direction when energized. The range switching device according to claim 6 , further comprising a solenoid. The output member and the device case have an output member stopper portion that restricts rotation of the output member with respect to the device case in the elastic biasing direction of the output member by the elastic member at a predetermined output member angle. ,
The base member and the device case have a base member stopper portion that restricts rotation of the base member relative to the device case in the elastic biasing direction of the base member by the elastic member at a predetermined base member angle. Item 8. The range switching device according to Item 6 or 7 . The elastic drive machine, said in the released state, the range switchover apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for rotationally driving the rotation angle corresponding to the output shaft to the parking range by the elastic energy.

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